Early years
Third Day began in 1991, when singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee finished studying at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. They had already played together in a garage band called Nuclear Hoedown, but now wanted to form a band where they could express their faith in God. Powell and Lee added a keyboard player named Billy Wilkins, and dedicated their time to write songs and perform around the state of Georgia.[1]
In 1992, they were playing at Lee's church the same night that drummer David Carr and bassist Tai Anderson were playing with a band called Bullard Family Singers. Their youth director asked the band to perform at their church. The group took along quickly and were invited to join the band.[2] The album that Carr produced would be released the next year under the title Long Time Forgotten.
In 1993, while dealing with their studies, the band started playing more aggressively around Atlanta and saved $3,000 to record a full-length album. Also, during this time, original member, Billy Wilkins, who was working as a school teacher, ended up leaving the band.[3] Still, Third Day continued to work on their first full-length album, recording at Furies Studios in Atlanta. The album was finally released in 1994 with 2,000 copies available.[4] In 1995, the band started looking for a second guitarist. They had heard Brad Avery play with singer Chris Carder and asked him to play with the band. After playing "Consuming Fire" during their first rehearsal, Avery officially joined the band.
As the band completed its line-up, they also started playing steadily around the South-east area. They also started playing at an Atlanta venue called the Strand Theatre. The management of the local decided to sign the band to a new independent record label called Gray Dot Records. That same year, the band released the album Third Day, which ended up selling 20,000 copies. Shortly after, Reunion Records signed the band to a multi-album deal.[5]
International Success
In 1998, the band started working on their next project titled Time under the production of Monroe James. They had compiled around 30 songs to choose from during the last year, and ended up choosing only ten. The album was also nominated for a Grammy and won another Dove Award for the band. Some of the other songs the band recorded, but were left out can be found in the EP Southern Tracks.[8] Also, during the band's live shows, the worship part was becoming more "powerful", which prompted them to release an album exclusively of worship songs, titled Offerings: A Worship Album. The album was recorded in about a week, and they followed it with a tour alongside Jennifer Knapp. They also collaborated in the project called City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise.[9]
In 2001, the band played in Australia and New Zealand on the heels of the success of the Offerings album. They continued to tour in the States, and recorded one of their concerts in Atlanta to be released as their first DVD, The Offerings Experience. The concert was held at the Hi-Fi Buys Ampitheatre with an attendance of close to 15,000 people. That same year, the band won a total of five Dove Awards as well as their first Grammy. They followed that year with the release of Come Together which ended up winning two Dove Awards and one more Grammy. The album was certified gold the next year, along with Time.[10][11] In 2003, they also released a follow-up to their hit Offerings titled Offerings II: All I Have to Give.
The band appeared in the 2002 film "Joshua", the movie version of the Joseph Girzone novel of the same name. The Third Day song "My Hope is You" was included in the Joshua soundtrack album.
Recent Years
In 2004, the band released their next album, Wire, and toured the States with tobyMac and Warren Barfield. In June of the same year, the band traveled to Europe for a two-week tour. Upon returning, the band recorded a concert at Louisville which ended up as their next project, Live Wire, released later that year. During that year, they also collaborated on the soundtrack for Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, they played at the Republican National Convention, and were featured in the show 60 Minutes.[12] In January 2007, the band played one night each in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, Australia.[13]
Their next album, Wherever You Are, debuted on the Billboard 200 at #8.[14] It also won the band their third Grammy. They have followed it with the holiday album, Christmas Offerings in 2006, and with a compilation of their hits titled Chronology in 2007. On February 28th, 2008, Third Day released a statement announcing Brad Avery's departure from the band after 13 years and over 1000 concerts.
Their best album to date entitled Revelation was released July 29, 2008.
Third Day released Miracle on November 6, 2012. The band toured Miracle on the Miracle Tour with artists Colton Dixon and Josh Wilson as their opening acts, commencing on February 21, 2013 in Fairfax, Virginia and concluding on May 19, 2014 in Orlando, Florida.
Third Day released the worship album Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship on March 3, 2015. The album, produced by the duo The Sound Kids, composed of Jonny Macintosh and JT Daly, peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, No. 5 on the Top Rock Albums chart[27] and No. 13 on the Digital Albums chart. The album has had one single, "Soul on Fire", that spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 2 on Hot Christian Songs and No. 3 on Christian Digital Songs.
Tunnel
Third Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't begin to know what you're going through
And I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
Just remember what I told you
There's so much your living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
And there's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
So keep holding on
You got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see
So remember what I told you
There's so much your living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
So keep holding on, keep holding on
So remember what I told you
There's so much your living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you, for you, yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you, yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel ooh, for you, for you, yeah
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
So keep holding on, keep holding on, keep holding on now
You got your disappointments and sorrows
I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
The lyrics of Third Day's song "Tunnel" offer a message of hope to someone going through a difficult time. The singer acknowledges that he cannot fully understand what the person is feeling, but he wants to offer a glimmer of hope. He encourages the listener to remember that there is always something to live for, even in the midst of pain. The choruses emphasize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, offering a metaphorical image of hope and new beginnings.
The overall mood of the song is hopeful and uplifting, with the music supporting the positive message of the lyrics. The verse and chorus melodies are simple and memorable, making the song easy to sing along to. The repetition of the "keep holding on" phrase is a heartfelt reminder to the listener that they can make it through their struggles.
Looking at the lyrics more closely, it is interesting to note the shift in perspective from the first verse to the second. In the first verse, the singer is addressing the listener directly, offering comfort and words of encouragement. In the second verse, the singer speaks as if he is now experiencing the same disappointments and sorrows as the listener, emphasizing the importance of sharing the weight of those struggles with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
I cannot read your mind, so I won't act like I do
And I can't begin to know what you're going through
I understand that I cannot fully comprehend your struggles
And I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
I acknowledge and recognize the hurt and suffering you are experiencing
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
Despite the difficulty of the situation, I want to offer you a glimmer of optimism
Just remember what I told you
Recall the words I previously shared with you
There's so much your living for
There are many worthwhile reasons to continue living
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Even in the midst of darkness, there is hope for a brighter future
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
This beacon of hope is specifically meant for you
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
The light at the end of the tunnel is radiantly shining, meant just for you
So keep holding on
Don't give up, keep persevering
You got your disappointments and sorrows
I understand that you have had difficulties and heartache
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
It could be helpful to share your struggles and let me help carry some of the burden
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Once you open up and share the weight of your struggles, you will begin to see the hope for the future
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see
This newfound hope will bring fresh perspective and vitality to your life
There's a light at the end of this tunnel ooh, for you, for you, yeah
This light of hope is specifically meant for you, twice emphasized
So keep holding on, keep holding on, keep holding on now
Persist and endure through the difficulties, without giving up
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW JONATHAN SILVER, NICHOLAS BENJAMIN POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lorimetz8640
This song got me through the hell of addiction. My first week of withdraw, i was ready to throw in the towel and use again when i heard this song on the radio for the first time. I cried like a baby..held on and got thru it. Been clean for 4 years now....
@claybyrd1126
hey brother for me this is a childhood classic for you it’s saved your life and my friend I am so glad that you are seeking a light just repent brother and no that Jesus loves you and will test you just have faith brother amen
@sandraschwan5070
Awesome
@jessicanorton3016
This song helped me get through my addiction too!!! God bless.
@guntherboshoff3083
Well done you are better off now just hold i know its tough buddy but in Christ we find our strength
@DerrickWashington-oe4vn
❤. No
@timcarroll6083
This song brought me thru very hard times in my marriage. Thank you Jesus for my wife and kids. Never lose hope.
@nobodyspecial1080
When i feel like ive reached rock bottom this song cheers me up and I can cry the pain away
@edski8536
Cry out to Jesus
@Deputyez
I heard this song right after my mothers funeral. It was so healing and means so much to me.